Santa helps Sandy

The elves in Santa’s Hilo workshop took a break from holiday prep this week, to make some blocks for Sandy relief quilts. I’m contributing here:

These scrappy log cabin blocks are 10.5″ before adding a dark solid border . The frame really makes them pop:

I hope that purple is “dark” enough. It looked darker before it went up on the wall next to the others, and the camera flash isn’t helping.

These are fun to make, especially if, like me, you jump at the chance to do something — anything — with an ever-growing mountain of strip scraps. My favorite thing about scrappy quilting is the magic transformation that turns a random collection of “duds and uglies” — and lovelies turned tedious through frequent use — into something that is so much more than the sum of its parts.

The meager six blocks I felt comfortable committing to (due to limited sewing time these days) did not make a dent in my overflowing “straight strips” scrap drawer. So I’ll be making more, and will even break the current fabric embargo to pick up some reliably dark solid yardage at my local Kona retailer.

If you’d like to make some blocks, or (even better!) can volunteer to turn donated blocks into finished quilts, all the details are here.

I'm Stephanie Serrano, a writer and quilter in Hilo, Hawaii, where the colors of the tropics make their way into my quilts. I am happy to have you share things you see here, so long as they are properly attributed to Venus de Hilo. Venus holds the copyright on all content on this site, and you wouldn't want to diss a goddess. Visit Venus de Hilo's Craftsy Pattern Store »

Goal: Finish more projects than I start this yearCurrent status: I've pulled ahead!